Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Charter) is one part of Canada's Constitution Act. The Charter came into effect on April 17, 1982. The Charter is a set of laws containing the basic rules about how our country operates. It describes the powers of the federal government and provincial governments in Canada. It sets out the rights and freedoms that Canadians believe are necessary in a free and democratic society. Some of the rights and freedoms set out in the Charter are:

freedom of expression

the right to a democratic government

the right to live and to seek employment anywhere in Canada

legal rights of persons accused of crimes

the rights of Aboriginal peoples

the right to equality, including the equality of men and women

the right to use either of Canada's official languages

the right of English and French linguistic minorities to an education in their language

the protection of Canada's multicultural heritage

The rights and freedoms set out in the Charter are not absolute. For example, freedom of expression under the Charter may be limited by laws against hate propaganda or pornography.

The equality rights in the Charter read:

"Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and in particular, without discrimination based on race, national ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability."

The Charter only applies to the acts and conduct of the federal, provincial and territorial governments.

Reviewed: January 27, 2010

The Alberta Human Rights Commission is an independent commission of the Government of Alberta.

Due to confidentiality concerns, the Commission cannot reply to complaints of discrimination by email. Please contact the Commission by phone or regular mail if you have a specific complaint.

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